Lever, Mass Life Sciences Center Announce Health Tech Challenge

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Lever is now accepting applications for the Western Mass Health Technology Challenge, open to health technology startups in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.

Presented in partnership with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), the challenge will award $50,000 to the startup that presents the most scalable and investable healthcare products or services, with $25,000 to the runner-up. Entrepreneurs can learn more and apply at https://leverinc.org/western-massachusetts-health-technology-challenge/.

"We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Mass Life Sciences and help new companies with the potential to grow, create jobs, and add to the amazing work being done by entrepreneurs in Western Massachusetts," said Lever’s executive director, Jeffrey Thomas. "This is a place full of smart people with great ideas. MLSC’s commitment to this Challenge series gives those smart people another vehicle to develop innovative work that can contribute to the regional economy while improving patient experiences and outcomes in healthcare." 

The Western Mass Health Technology Challenge represents a three-year partnership with Lever and MLSC, which will provide funding for additional Health Technology Challenges in 2023 and 2024. MLSC also funded Lever’s Health Technology Challenges in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Since then, the 22 companies that participated have raised $17 million in additional funding and created at least 40 jobs in Western Massachusetts. 

Participating companies complete Lever’s accelerated Challenge program, which gives them the opportunity to develop their pitches alongside expert mentors, conduct customer interviews, and develop a go-to-market strategy. 

"To truly remain the global leader in the life sciences, we must continue to leverage our regional assets and drive the growth of life science clusters across Massachusetts," said MLSC President and CEO Kenn Turner. "Lever is an essential partner for the Life Sciences Center. We are proud to collaborate on this newest endeavor to drive innovation and support the entrepreneurial community in Western Massachusetts."

McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course. 

 

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication. 

 

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

 

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates. 

 

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

 

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

 

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.